Major Retail Distributor Develops Perfect Food Recycling System

Ito-Yokado Co., a major retail distributor in Japan, announced on June 19, 2008, that it will start managing a farm to develop a perfect food recycling system by connecting the farm with its supermarket stores and composting facility.

The company has operated a composting facility in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, since 2003 to produce compost from food waste. By establishing the farming firm, Ito-Yokado can sell the products grown using the compost in the farm to complete a perfect recycling chain.

The company borrowed a two-hectare farm in Tomisato, Chiba Prefecture, from the Tomisato Agricultural Cooperative Association in July 2008 and established Seven Farm Tomisato, an agricultural production corporation, in August. Vegetables produced on the farm will be sold at six Ito-Yokado stores in the prefecture from November.

Direct farm management makes it possible to determine farm conditions and cultivation records, and to closely share information with producers. The company also expects that the system will halt the increasing fallow soil areas in the prefecture and will ultimately contribute to the improvement of food self-sufficiency in Japan.

Posted: 2008/11/13 09:00:07 AM